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D.C. Council gives initial approval to a bill to let terminally ill patients end their lives

Posted on November 1, 2016

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The D.C. Council on Tuesday gave initial approval to legislation that would allow physicians to prescribe fatal drugs to terminally ill residents in the District, making the District the sixth jurisdiction nationwide to allow the practice.

It is the first predominantly black community to legalize so-called “death with dignity”, overcoming objections from some in the African American community.

A spokesman for Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) declined to say if the mayor would approve or veto the legislation, although he said Bowser “expects the bill to become law.” The Council approved the bill on a 11 to 2 vote. Council Members Brianne K. Nadeau (D-Ward 1) and Yvette Alexander (D-Ward 7) cast the dissenting votes.